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Crown of thorns is considered a form of tramp art, though it is different in construction and appearance to the notching & pyramiding commonly associated with tramp art.
crown of thorns - sticks in space Tramp-art.comDefinition: Crown of thorns is a woodworking technique using interlocking wooden sticks that are notched to intersect at right angles forming joints and self supporting objects, objects that have a "prickly" and transparent quality. Common examples include wreath- shaped picture frames that look similar to Jesus Christ's "crown of thorns". Synonyms: "puzzle work", "sailor work", "interlocking woodwork" and tramp art. |
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99-030 This wreath shaped bowl was made at the Old Soldiers Home in Dayton Ohio. Oval picture frames and bowls such as this, are the likely source of the name "crown of thorns". |  |
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"Champion whittler" made crown of thorns Frame signed on back "This frame was made in the month of January 1947 from 650 pieces of White Pine and Redwood, all pieces are cut with a pocket knife by the champion whittler- Ole Swanson." Several examples of Ole Swanson's work are known to exist and from them we learn that he lived at 1108 Page St., San Francisco, California |
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"Strongman" made crown of thorns crossSidney Freeman, B 01/30/1905, D 1984. Once a strongman for the Ringling Brothers Circus, enjoyed a pastime that required more patience and precise wood carving than strength. Between 1911 and 1915 Sidney’s strongman act involved a car loaded with five people driving up a ramp and across his back. Sidney performed the feat of lifting and then swinging a 150 pound dumbbell with his teeth. He could lift 555 pounds with his teeth. While the circus was touring Czechoslovakia in 1913 he learned the craft of crown of thorns construction. In 1961 Sidney was struck with rheumatoid arthritis and found therapy and exercise for his hands by crafting crown of thorns churches and shrines. This crown of thorns cross contains 406 delicately carved pieces of wood. Some of his creations contain as many as 1800 pieces of wood and require 80 hours to complete. Detail of Knots. This close-up of Sidney Freeman's cross shows the interlocking joints of six pieces of wood. These interlocking joints are referred to as "knots". |
 98-003 crown of thorns
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Elderly sailor made crown of thorns lampsEmil Witt* (1869-1948) was born in Germany and immigrated to America in 1908. He married Viola Stackhous and they had 5 children. Emil lived in Elizabeth, New Jersey where he worked as a carpenter. Between 1938 & his death, Emil resided at 1130 Hampton Place. These were the years of World War II and during this time Emil served as "Chief Ship's Carpenter" in the U.S. Merchant Marines. It was not uncommon for men in their 60s to go to sea or for native- born Germans to fight against their motherland. At the age of 66, off the coast of Sicily, Emil was severely wounded when an ammunition ship exploded alongside his ship. Struck by shrapnel, Emil suffered chest and head injuries and was hospitalized for many months. We know from Emil's signature and address on the bottom of a puzzle work lamp that it was made in the last 10 years of his life. Was it made at sea, in convalescence or at home? Other examples of Emil's puzzle work suggest he was very proficient at this craft. The 1940s were the waning years of puzzle work's popularity. Emil was practicing a skill that had all but vanished. *Special thanks to Elizabeth Public Library for helping in this research |
